Abstract: An end-effector is disclosed including an ultrasonic blade configured to acoustically couple to an ultrasonic transducer and electrically couple to a pole of an electrical generator and a clamp arm including a clamp jaw and a cantilever electrode fixed to the clamp jaw. The cantilever electrode is configured to electrically couple to an opposite pole of the electrical generator. The clamp arm may include an I-beam shaped clamp arm pad and the cantilever electrode is disposed between the I-beam. The clamp jaw, the cantilever electrode, and the clamp arm pad may define recesses along a length coinciding with the ultrasonic blade. The clamp arm pad may be fixed to the clamp jaw and disposed between the clamp jaw and the cantilever electrode and may extend beyond the surface of the cantilever electrode. The clamp arm may include a stationary gap setting pad and movable floating gap setting pads.

Abstract: An end-effector is disclosed. The end-effector includes a clamp arm and an ultrasonic blade configured to acoustically couple to an ultrasonic transducer and to electrically couple to a pole of an electrical generator. The clamp arm includes a clamp jaw, a plurality of variable longitudinal support elements, and a cantilever electrode configured to electrically couple to an opposite pole of the electrical generator, the cantilever electrode fixed to the clamp jaw at a proximal end and free to deflect at a distal end. The cantilever electrode is supported by the variable longitudinal support elements. The variable longitudinal support elements apply a variable force on the cantilever electrode from the proximal end to the distal end.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising an articulatable end effector and a control system that controls the articulation of the end effector and provides feedback to the user of the surgical instrument.

Abstract: A loading unit for use with a surgical stapling instrument is disclosed. The loading unit comprises a shaft and an end effector extending from the shaft. The end effector comprises a first jaw that comprising an anvil, and a second jaw. At least one of the first jaw and the second jaw is movable relative to the other to grasp tissue. The second jaw comprises an elongated channel comprising retaining features, and a staple cartridge insertable into the elongated channel for assembly therewith. The staple cartridge comprises a cartridge pan, and a sled translatable relative to the cartridge pan from a first position toward a second position. The retaining features are configured to resist a movement by the sled beyond the first position up to a predetermined force.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising an articulatable end effector and a control system that controls the articulation of the end effector and provides feedback to the user of the surgical instrument.

Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument for use with a staple cartridge including a sled and staples is disclosed. The surgical stapling instrument comprises a firing system. The firing system comprising a motor and a driving member operably coupled to the motor. The motor is configured to cause the driving member to advance the sled to deploy the staples into tissue grasped by the surgical stapling instrument. The driving member is movable by the motor along a predefined firing path. The surgical stapling instrument further comprises a control circuit that is configured to detect a location of the sled along the firing path, and adjust a motor control program based on the location of the sled.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising an articulatable end effector and a control system that controls the articulation of the end effector and provides feedback to the user of the surgical instrument.

Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument for use with a staple cartridge including a sled and staples is disclosed. The surgical stapling instrument comprises a firing system. The firing system comprising a motor and a driving member operably coupled to the motor. The motor is configured to cause the driving member to advance the sled to deploy the staples into tissue grasped by the surgical stapling instrument. The driving member is movable by the motor along a predefined firing path. The surgical stapling instrument further comprises a control circuit that is configured to detect a location of the sled along the firing path, and adjust a motor control program based on the location of the sled.

Abstract: A method for treating tissue using a surgical instrument including at least one electrode and a staple cartridge is disclosed. The method includes causing the at least one electrode to deliver a therapeutic energy to the tissue in a first phase of a surgical treatment by the surgical instrument, deploying staples from the staple cartridge into the tissue in a second phase of the surgical treatment, monitoring a first tissue property in the first phase of the surgical treatment, switching from the first phase to the second phase if at least one of two conditions is met, setting a parameter of the second phase of the surgical treatment based on at least one measurement of the first tissue property determined in the first phase of the surgical treatment, and monitoring a second tissue property, different from the first tissue property, in the second phase of the surgical treatment.

Abstract: Disclosed is a surgical instrument with an end-effector adapted and configured to deliver a plurality of energy modalities to tissue at a distal end thereof. The energy modalities may be applied simultaneously, independently, or sequentially. A generator is electrically coupled to the surgical instrument and is configured to supply a plurality of energy modalities to the end-effector. In one aspect, the generator is configured to supply electrosurgical energy (e.g., monopolar or bipolar radio frequency (RF) energy) and ultrasonic energy to the end-effector to allow the end-effector to interact with the tissue. The energy modalities may be supplied to the end-effector by a single generator or multiple generators.

Abstract: An end-effector is disclosed. The end-effector includes a clamp arm and an ultrasonic blade configured to acoustically couple to an ultrasonic transducer and to electrically couple to a pole of an electrical generator. The clamp arm includes a clamp jaw, a plurality of variable longitudinal support elements, and a cantilever electrode configured to electrically couple to an opposite pole of the electrical generator, the cantilever electrode fixed to the clamp jaw at a proximal end and free to deflect at a distal end. The cantilever electrode is supported by the variable longitudinal support elements. The variable longitudinal support elements apply a variable force on the cantilever electrode from the proximal end to the distal end.

Abstract: An end-effector is disclosed. The end-effector includes a clamp arm and an ultrasonic blade configured to acoustically couple to an ultrasonic transducer and electrically couple to a pole of an electrical generator. The clamp arm includes a clamp jaw and an electrode configured to electrically couple to an opposite pole of the electrical generator. In one configuration, the electrode is segmented. In another configuration, the ultrasonic blade includes electrically insulative material deposited on selected areas to prevent electrical shorting in the event of the ultrasonic blade contacts the electrode. In another configuration, the clamp arm, the ultrasonic blade, or both include selectively coated components.

Abstract: An end-effector is disclosed including an ultrasonic blade configured to acoustically couple to an ultrasonic transducer and electrically couple to a pole of an electrical generator and a clamp arm including a clamp jaw and a cantilever electrode fixed to the clamp jaw. The cantilever electrode is configured to electrically couple to an opposite pole of the electrical generator. The clamp arm may include an I-beam shaped clamp arm pad and the cantilever electrode is disposed between the I-beam. The clamp jaw, the cantilever electrode, and the clamp arm pad may define recesses along a length coinciding with the ultrasonic blade. The clamp arm pad may be fixed to the clamp jaw and disposed between the clamp jaw and the cantilever electrode and may extend beyond the surface of the cantilever electrode. The clamp arm may include a stationary gap setting pad and movable floating gap setting pads.